CVE-2019-12616: phpMyAdmin CSRF Vulnerability

phpmyadmin/phpmyadmin Updated 02 Oct 2025

Summary

24/05/2022
Yes i
Moderate
6.5

CVE-2019-12616: phpMyAdmin CSRF Vulnerability. Affects phpmyadmin/phpmyadmin versions < 4.9.0. Fixed in 4.9.0. How to fix ↓

Also tracked for

The same CVE-2019-12616 is tracked separately for each ecosystem and vendor. Its fix information is the same; the package and affected versions differ.

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Background

phpMyAdmin is a popular open-source tool for managing MySQL databases. It provides a web-based interface that allows users to perform various database management tasks. The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-12616 affects phpMyAdmin versions prior to 4.9.0. This vulnerability allows an attacker to exploit Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) against a phpMyAdmin user. By tricking the user into visiting a malicious website or clicking on a specially crafted link, the attacker can execute unauthorized actions on the victim's phpMyAdmin database.

Vulnerability Detail

The vulnerability arises from a lack of proper CSRF protection in phpMyAdmin. When a user is logged into phpMyAdmin, their session is not adequately validated when processing certain requests. This allows an attacker to forge a request on behalf of the victim, potentially leading to the execution of arbitrary SQL statements such as INSERT or DELETE operations. The impact of this vulnerability can be severe, as it enables unauthorized access and manipulation of the victim's database.

How To Fix

Minimum fixed version

4.9.0

This is the first release that contains the fix.

composer require phpmyadmin/phpmyadmin:4.9.0

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Workaround

If upgrading to the latest version is not immediately feasible, a temporary workaround can be implemented by adding additional CSRF protection measures. This can be achieved by modifying the phpMyAdmin configuration to enable token-based CSRF protection. The specific steps to implement this workaround may vary depending on the phpMyAdmin version and configuration. It is advisable to consult the phpMyAdmin documentation or seek assistance from the phpMyAdmin community for detailed instructions.

Conclusion

The phpMyAdmin CSRF vulnerability (CVE-2019-12616) poses a significant risk to phpMyAdmin installations prior to version 4.9.0. It allows attackers to exploit Cross-Site Request Forgery and potentially execute unauthorized SQL statements on the victim's database. To mitigate this vulnerability, it is essential to upgrade phpMyAdmin to version 4.9.0 or later. Alternatively, implementing token-based CSRF protection can serve as a temporary workaround. For further assistance and guidance on vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.

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FAQ

phpMyAdmin is an open-source tool that provides a web-based interface for managing MySQL databases. It allows users to perform various database administration tasks such as creating, modifying, and querying databases.

Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) is an attack that tricks the victim into performing unwanted actions on a website in which they are authenticated. In the case of phpMyAdmin, the CSRF vulnerability allows an attacker to execute unauthorized actions on the victim's phpMyAdmin database.

An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by tricking a phpMyAdmin user into visiting a malicious website or clicking on a specially crafted link. The attacker can then execute unauthorized actions on the victim's phpMyAdmin database, potentially leading to data manipulation or unauthorized access.

The impact of this vulnerability can be severe, as it allows an attacker to gain unauthorized access to the victim's phpMyAdmin database and perform arbitrary SQL operations. This can result in data manipulation, unauthorized access to sensitive information, or even the complete compromise of the database.

To protect your phpMyAdmin installation, it is crucial to keep it up to date with the latest security patches. Regularly check for updates and apply them promptly. Additionally, consider implementing additional security measures such as enabling token-based CSRF protection and restricting access to phpMyAdmin only to trusted users.

Related vulnerabilities

Recent vulnerabilities recorded for phpmyadmin/phpmyadmin.

How To Fix

Minimum fixed version

4.9.0

This is the first release that contains the fix.

composer require phpmyadmin/phpmyadmin:4.9.0

Tip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →

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